Day 4 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Descending from Fohn Lakes - from the beach near we camped (on the true left of the creek draining the upper lake) descend through terraces such as this one until you reach the river - you have to cross at the very distinct 90 right hand turn in the creek to the true right, before dropping down to the Olivine Ledge

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Crossing Fohn Creek at the distinctive 90 degree bend to the true right bank

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Once on the true right of Fohn Creek, easy slopes lead to the broad Olivine Ledge

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

The northern end of the Olivine Ledge (the Olivine River is below in the fog)

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Olivine Ledge, looking towards Fiery Peak and Col direction

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Recrossing Fohn Creek to the true left to remain on the Olivine Ledge

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

On the Olivine Ledge - there is good tracks in some places, and long tussocks with boggy sections in others

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

The OTMC teams are about to meet on the Olivine Ledge (interestingly about the same place as we did in 2010)

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

The meeting of the two OTMC teams, on the Olivine Ledge

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

The clockwise team heading off towards Fohn Lakes

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Morning fog burning off to reveal the confluence of the Olivine and Forgotten Rivers

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

A well named mountain - Fiery Peak, with Fiery Col to the left

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Fiery Creek - quite a few parties camp here (including our clockwise group) - just don't camp too close to the creek during rain (this is from experience!)

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Fiery Col and Fiery Peak

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Looking back towards the Olivine Ledge from the climb to Fiery Col

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

The climb to Fiery Col is straight-forward - choose between the grass or rock

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

The final climb to Fiery Col (the highest point on the classic Five Pass trip at 1546m)

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Lunch on Fiery Col, looking towards the upper Olivine River and beyond to Hidden Falls Creek

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

We brought the iceaxes for this descent to Cow Saddle - pity there was no snow to actually use them (in other years there often is)

From Cow Saddle keep to the true right of Hidden Falls Creek until you reach the lower end of the massive scree slope (behind the photographer), then cross Hidden Falls Creek and pick up an old blazed track that can be followed with care all the way to the bushline on Park Pass

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Hidden Falls Creek - travel across this grass flat, and the head to the lower end of the scree slope that can be seen on the right of the photo before crossing Hidden Falls Creek

OTMC Five Pass Trip 2018 - Fohn Lakes to Hidden Falls Creek

Cross Hidden Falls Creek at the bottom of this scree / rock slope (where the trees are on both sides of the river) - after crossing the river you will find an old blazed track close to the true left bank - follow this to a large campsite (15mins downstream) and then onwards to the climb to Park Pass